CORRECT CORE

           

If you were to take 2 apples of the same type, size and age and you de-core one of them and dropped them to the floor from the same height the one without the central core would smash to pieces and the other would crack.  In other words in any form or structure if you take away its central strength it would simply collapse.  It is exactly the same in our bodies, if you have a weak core you will lack central support and will injure limbs more easily and you will also suffer from descended organs over time which can cause all kinds of problems from bowel dysfunction to back pain.

You have repeatedly heard me talk about the importance of good posture for weight control and general well being, if you have spinal subluxion you affect the nerve supply to vital organs.  It is impossible to stand up straight without good deep lower abdominal tone and strength.  Has any body ever told you to stand up straight! Put your shoulders back! And after a while you simply sink back to your normal slouched position.  TRY this as an experiment.  Stand up and lift your rib cage and increase the gap between the bottom of your ribs and the top of your hips, you will automatically grow about 1-2 cms but you may find that you increase the arch in your back.  When this happens just draw in your belly button towards your spine, this activates the muscles that wrap around your waist like a corset (Thoraco Lumbar facia).  Now hold this for 1 minute but breath normally, and you will find that you can stay upright with ease.  Now relax your stomach muscles and let your belly droop and you will slouch immediately.  This could become a very simple daily exercise that you could do standing in a check out queue, waiting for a bus or doing the washing up etc.  Try holding this position for up to 2 minutes 3-4 times a day and the difference in your wellbeing will amaze you. 

This leads me on nicely to why machines in gyms don’t allow you to activate your core muscles and why you need to incorporate gym ball and core exercises into your gym routine.  To be perfectly honest you could put together an excellent all round routine in the comfort of your own home.  The ball challenges the re-active, deep stabilising and balancing muscles of your body and sitting in a machine or on a bench does not, it is really quite that simple.  Over the next few weeks I am going to do an exercise of the fortnight to help you all along. 

For an immediate Wellness Consultation please call Steve on 670 332 982 and visit my webpage www.bodyguardsapt.com for more information and testimonials.